A LACK of facilities for youngsters, poor transport and not enough police officers are just some of the issues parish councils in Somerset would like addressed.

A LACK of facilities for youngsters, poor transport and not enough police officers are just some of the issues parish councils in Somerset would like addressed.

All town and parish councils in Sedgemoor were asked to draw up a list of some of the main problems in their communities which they would like to see improved by the new area working panels, which have been set up in each district by Somerset County Council.

The area panels are made up of county councillors who each have £15,000 to spend in their parishes.

Local authorities can apply to the area working panel for funding and members will decide how the money is allocated.

During the panel's first meeting the main issues councils said they would like the money spent on were community safety, youth issues, including better transport to facilities for youngsters, and highways.

The panel is now looking into the cost of providing two more police community support officers (PCSOs) for the Sedgemoor area. Members will also be talking to Somerset Rural Youth Project about community transport schemes and investigating ways to reduce speeding in communities.

A total of £180,000 is available to Sedgemoor this year, £60,000 of which has been allocated to pay for two more PCSOs, £60,000 will be available for small projects for parishes to bid for and the rest will go on schemes the panel wishes to support.

Councils can now approach the panel to ask for funding on various projects within the criteria.

The group's next meeting is on September 4 where members will be deciding which projects to inject cash into. The meeting is being held at 7.30pm in Cheddar Village Hall.